Exploitation of Natural, Resources and Reclamation of Land in Nigeria: A Case Study of Plateau State

Abstract

Modern mining involves the exploration and removal of minerals from the ground with minimum damage to the environment. This is unlike how mining was carried out many years back, particularly in developing countries. In Nigeria, a great deal of mining activities occurred in Plateau State where Tin mining (which the state was well known for) in the 19th century. This activity subjected Plateau tin fields to gross environmental degradation and pollution. These environmental hazard was not considered nor remedied by the benefactors (colonial government) during the first fifty six(46) years thus leading to the devastation of substantial arable land. This paper examined mining practices in Plateau State and their impact on the land resources in the state vis-à-vis the previous and extant provisions of the Mining and Mineral Acts, other laws and policies for reclamation of mined lands in Nigeria. It revealed that there was no legislation that required mining license holders to restore mined lands to an environmentally sound condition on completion of mining activities. As a result, mined lands in Plateau State were left in their degraded form causing them to become death and health hazards to humans and the environment. Additionally, the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 failed to proffer solutions for the reclamation of such lands, it only provides for bow current mineral title holders can reclaim or restore mined lands. The paper therefore brought to the fore the need for these lands to be reclaimed by the government. Consequently, we concluded that there is need to review the present Minerals and Mining Act to reflect reclamation of abandoned mine fields as an avenue to promote individual rights to life and a healthy environment guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.